iPadOS 18 compatibility and release date prediction: Will my iPad work with Apple's latest software?

iPadOS 18
(Image credit: Apple)

Apple's iPadOS 18 software is the latest and greatest tablet software from the company, replacing iPadOS 17 for 2024 and beyond. As with iPhone and Mac, the new iteration comes chock full of exciting updates including Apple Intelligence. While you'll need one of Apple's best iPads to take advantage of those new AI features, support for iPadOS 18 more broadly is much better. 

If you want to download iPadOS 18, nearly every tablet that runs iPadOS 17 is eligible for the upgrade. However, Apple has dropped support for three devices that support iPadOS 17:

  • 10.5-inch iPad Pro
  • Second-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro
  • Sixth-generation iPad

iPadOS 18: Every compatible device

If you're still not sure whether you've made the cut, here are all the devices that support iPadOS 18:

  • iPad Pro (M4)
  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later)
  • iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later)
  • iPad Air (M2)
  • iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
  • iPad (7th generation and later)
  • iPad mini (5th generation and later)

When is iPadOS 18 coming out?

iPadOS 18 is available right now as a beta, but we wouldn't recommend installing that unless you know what you're doing. Otherwise, the official public release of the software is tipped for fall, 2024. 

iPad Air 2024 |$599 $569 at Amazon

iPad Air 2024 | $599 $569 at Amazon

If your iPad is getting a little long in the tooth and you want a new tablet to last you for the foreseeable future, Apple's M2-powered iPad Air launched just last month and already has a nice $30 reduction. 

More from iMore

Stephen Warwick
News Editor

Stephen Warwick has written about Apple for five years at iMore and previously elsewhere. He covers all of iMore's latest breaking news regarding all of Apple's products and services, both hardware and software. Stephen has interviewed industry experts in a range of fields including finance, litigation, security, and more. He also specializes in curating and reviewing audio hardware and has experience beyond journalism in sound engineering, production, and design. Before becoming a writer Stephen studied Ancient History at University and also worked at Apple for more than two years. Stephen is also a host on the iMore show, a weekly podcast recorded live that discusses the latest in breaking Apple news, as well as featuring fun trivia about all things Apple. Follow him on Twitter @stephenwarwick9